Collapsible crate.



. MONROE.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED was 16'. me.

Patented Mar. 26; 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I G. A. C. MONROE.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE. APPLICATION FILED .IUNE I6. 1 16.

1,260,697. .v Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

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GEORGE A. C. MONROE, OF GENEVA, ILLTNOIS.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

To'aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Gnonen A. G. MONROE, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Geneva, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Grates, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to wooden receptacles and has particular reference to new and useful improvements in collapsible crates.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved type of collapsible crate having a new and improved arrange ment of elements whereby a plurality of objects may be suspended in the crate when the same is in set-up position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a crate of the class described which when in knock-down position occupies a minimum amount of space facilitating packing of a number of the crates for shipment.

A further object of my invention is to provide a new and improved means for retaining the crate in set-up position, an improved type of suspending means being also provided for detachable association with the crate for supporting eggs, fruit and the like.

ther objects and advantages to be derived from the use of my improved knockdown crate will appear from the following detail description and the claims, taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crate embodying the improvements of my invention, the same being shown in set-up position and closed;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the crate, the lid being open;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the crate in folded position;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2, a portion of the article containing device being removed.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein similar characters of reference designate like and corresponding parts throughout the various views, 1 and 2 designate the sides of my improved crate, the ends being designated 3 and 4, respectively, in their entireties, said ends being formed of sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, said sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 having their adjacent ends hingedly connected as at 8 while the outer portions are Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1916.

Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

Serial No. 104,009.

hingedly connected as at 9 and 10, respectively, to the sides 1 and 2.

I provide top and bottom sections 11 and 12, respectively, the top section 11 being hingediy connected as at 13 to the side 1, the bottom section 12 being hingedly connected as at 14 to the side 2. A hook member 15 is pivotally connected as at 16 to the free marginal edge of the top section 11, said hook being engageable, when the crate is in set-up position, with a loop or eye 17 carried by the side wall 2. A loop or eye 18 is carried by the bottom section 12 at the inner marginal edge thereof for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. A pair of cleats 19 arecarried by the top section 11 adjacent the free ends thereof for engagement with the top marginal edges of the sectionalized ends 3 and 4:, similar cleats 20 being carried by the bottom section 12 for engagement with the bottom marginal edges of said sectionalized ends. These cleats serve to hold the ends rigid when the crate is in set-up position.

A look 21 is carried by the upper edge of the side 2 for engagement with a projecting tongue 22 carried by the top section 11. The object receiving body is designated 23 and is preferably formed of cloth or some similar flexible material, the same being substantially rectangular in shape and having a plurality of longitudinally and transversely arranged partitions 24 located therein forming chambers 25. The body 23 is suspended within the crate when the same is in set-up position by means of a plurality of hooks 26 arranged on the sides 1 and 2 of the crate, a plurality of loops 27 being carried by the object suspending member 23 and adapted to engage with said hooks, as best shown in Fig. 2. If desired the member 23 may be provided, adjacent the bottom edge thereof, with aresilient band 28 for engagement with a lower set of hooks 29. The member 23 is thereby suspended and cushioned preventing breakage of the contents of the chambers 25.

Of course, it is to be understood that the object engaging member 23 is only to be used when eggs, fruit or other perishable goods are to be shipped in my improved crate. Under ordinary conditions the object engaging member 23 is removed.

In order to rigidly maintain the sides, ends, and bottom in rectangular set-up formation I provide two hinge leaves 30 and 31 carried by the side 1 and bottom 12, re-

spectively. As best shown in Fig. 4: the hinge leaves are adapted to register when the crate is in set-up position and a pin 32 is passed through said hinge leaves whereby to firmly connect the side 1 and said bottom 12.

From the foregoing it will be seen that in the provision oi my improved crate I am onabled to set up or knock down a crate as desired, the construction of the crate permitting of its adaptation to various uses either as a clothes or apparel container or as a shipping crate for fruits, food studs and the like. When folded the top 11 and hot tcm 12 fold back upon the sides 1 and 2, respectively, the hook 15 engaging with the eye 18 carried by the bottom 12. Of course, at this time the ends 3 and 4: have been broken intermediate their ends by virtue of their respective hinged. sections.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is thought that a clear and comprehensive understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of my invention may be had, and While I have shown and described the device as embodying a specific structure, I desire that it be understood that such changes may be made in said structure as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a knock-down crate, sides, a bottom, said bottom being hingedly connected to one of the sides, a top, said top being hingedly connected with the other side, end walls comprising hingedly connected sections engaged with'said sides and adapted to fold inwardly, locking means carried by the top for engagement with the side opposite to which it is hinged, fasteners carried by the bottom and opposite side to which the same is hinged and adapted :tor cooperative engagement when the crate is set-up, a pintle insertible through said cooperatin g fasteners to securely hold the crate in set-up position, and a plurality of sets of cleats carried'by the top and bottom sections adjacent their free ends for engagement with the end portions of the crate.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

' GEORGE A. C. MONROE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

